2013 Composers’ Competition - Submissions due by May 1, 2013

The League of Composers/ISCM US Section is open to all composers with United States citizenship or legal residence. The winner will receive a $500 cash prize and possible performance in New York City. Up to five additional finalists may also be selected.

There are no stylistic limitations. Works must be between 5 and 20 minutes in length, although closer to 10 minutes is encouraged, to increase the likelihood that the piece will be programmed on a League/ISCM concert. Submitted works may be for solo instrument, small ensemble, or any combination up to a chamber orchestra, voice, multiple vocalists, chorus, opera and additional media, and/or electronic components. While we will consider works with any instrumentation, please note that we cannot promise performances of works for forces larger than chamber orchestra, 4 or 5 vocalists or equivalent chorus.

Any compositions using texts must show proof of all necessary copyright permissions.

We can accept up to three pieces per composer. Each piece requires its own upload and PayPal fee of $21.00.

Our submission process is entirely electronic; if the work you wish to submit cannot be submitted in this way, please contact Frank Brickle for assistance at frank@leagueofcomposers.org.

The entry page will require you to upload the following to our website:

One pdf, which includes your bio and CV, including any contact information.

Another pdf, which is a copy of the full score of the work. Submissions are judged anonymously. You must remove your name everywhere from the score, including in the copyright notice. There is no need for a pseudonym. We apply our own index number.

One mp3, which includes a recording or midi realization of the work, also with your name omitted.

A completed PayPal transaction for $21.

Selection Process

The judges will meet and adjudicate during the month of May 2013 and endeavor to complete the process soon thereafter. If they choose more than one winner, the $500 prize will be split between the winners. Subsequent possible performances of the winning works will be arranged over the course of the following year, probably for a concert season later than 2014. If the League is able to arrange a performance, the composer of the winning work must supply a conductor’s score and parts at his or her cost.

The submission deadline for the 2014 World Music Days Festival passed in fall 2012. There is currently no call for scores for the 2015 World Music Days. If the ISCM posts one, we will include the winning works from this competition in the US Section’s submission of six works to that Festival.